Player of the Week: Devon Dampier Shines for New Mexico
Devon Dampier has been recognized as the national player of the week in college football for Week 12, following an impressive performance against No. 19 Washington State. In a thrilling 38-35 victory at home, Dampier demonstrated his versatility by rushing for three touchdowns, with the decisive score coming just 23 seconds before the final whistle. He also added a touchdown pass, showcasing his ability to lead the Lobos to their first win against a ranked opponent in 27 games, a streak that dated back to 2003.
Dampier’s remarkable game included 193 rushing yards and 174 passing yards, highlighted by a crucial 33-yard run that initiated the Lobos’ comeback from a 28-14 deficit at halftime. His final touchdown came on a 1-yard run that capped off an 11-play, 75-yard drive, securing the team’s fifth victory of the season, the most wins recorded since 2016.
Runner-Up Performance: LaNorris Sellers Leads South Carolina
In a close second for player of the week, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers delivered a stellar performance against Missouri. He threw a critical 15-yard touchdown pass with only 15 seconds remaining to clinch a 34-30 victory. Sellers recorded career highs with 353 passing yards and five touchdown passes during the game. Over the last five matches, he has thrown 10 touchdown passes while only throwing one interception, making him the first South Carolina quarterback since Jake Bentley in 2018 to reach five touchdown passes in a single game.
Honorable Mentions Highlight Outstanding Performances
Several players also stood out, earning honorable mentions for their recent accomplishments. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson set a personal best by catching 12 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-14 win against Kansas State, marking the highest receiving yard total for an ASU player since 2015. Similarly, Stanford’s Emmett Mosley tallied 13 receptions for 168 yards and made two touchdown catches that led to a thrilling 38-35 victory over Louisville, capped by a last-second field goal from Emmet Kenney.
Clemson’s T.J. Parker achieved a career high by matching a school record with four of the team’s eight sacks in a 24-20 win over Pittsburgh. Quarterback Cade Klubnik contributed significantly with 288 passing yards and two touchdowns, including a pivotal 50-yard touchdown run that edged the Tigers ahead late in the game. Additionally, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty made history by rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns, establishing a new program record for single-season rushing yards at 1,893 after their 42-21 victory against San Jose State.
Notable Stats from Recent Games
Several key statistics emerged from this week’s college football action. Kansas achieved back-to-back victories over ranked opponents, with their latest win being a 17-13 triumph against BYU. This marked the first time the Jayhawks had secured consecutive wins over ranked teams. Georgia continued its dominance over Tennessee by extending its winning streak to eight games, all by double digits, making it the longest streak in that series since its inception in 1899.
Furthermore, Tulane greatly improved its stature in the American Athletic Conference, racking up 22 wins in the last three seasons after only 21 wins in the first eight years. Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan stood out by throwing for four touchdowns against UAB, becoming the only current FBS player with at least 20 touchdown passes in four seasons at the same institution. Illinois celebrated a significant 38-16 victory over Michigan State, securing their sixth home win for the first time since 2001. Lastly, Nebraska has struggled under head coach Matt Rhule, failing to secure a bowl-eligible status with an 0-8 record in crucial games, extending their bowl absence to 2016, the longest streak among Power Four programs.